Manila, Philippines – Two Philippine wetlands now sit in the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands’ pedestals of Wetlands of International Importance, drawing the country’s tally of Ramsar sites to a total of ten. 

The Sibugay Wetland Nature Reserve (SWNR) in Zamboanga Sibugay and the Del Carmen Mangrove Reserve (DCMR) in Siargao Island Protected Landscape and Seascape (SIPLAS) have been designated as the 9^th and 10^th “Ramsar Site” of the Philippines. 

“We celebrate this wonderful news as it accelerates our advocacy to protect these wetlands from the threats surrounding these vulnerable ecosystems. Wetlands serve both nature and communities, and thus need clear and science-driven policies for their wise use and conservation,” said Amy Lecciones, Executive Director of the Society for the Conservation of Philippine Wetlands. 

The announcement came during the 10th Asian Wetland Symposium (AWS10) on November 25-28, 2024 in Metro Manila, Philippines, a few days after the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands officially included SWNR and DCMR-SIPLAS on the List of Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar List). 

“Naming the wetlands of Sibugay and Del Carmen as Ramsar Sites will definitely help our effort to conserve these precious ecosystems. Wetlands are direly threatened in the Philippines, so this recognition is a step forward in the push to include wetlands at the forefront of our country’s policies,” said Dr. Annadel Cabanban, Country Manager of Wetlands International Philippines.  

Tagged as Ramsar Site No. 2552, the Sibugay Wetland Nature Reserve is home to a host of migratory birds seeking sanctuary during migration season from September to March. 

Five (5) waterbird species have been identified in the Reserve, exceeding the 1% share of the East-Asian-Australasian Flyway population, which qualifies the wetland as a Ramsar site. 

The following are the five waterbird species in the SWRN: 

·       Endangered Far eastern curlew (Numenius madagascariensis) 

·       Great white egret (Egretta alba) 

·       Little egret (E. garzetta) 

·       Intermediate egret (E. intermedia) 

·       Gull-billed tern (Gelochelidon nilotica) 

Three (3) species of marine turtles also swim in the waters of the Reserve, such as: 

·       the critically endangered Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) 

·       endangered Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) and 

·       vulnerable Olive Ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) 

SWNR is also home to the largest colony of flying foxes in the country, composed of: 

·       the Philippine endemic and endangered Golden-crowned flying fox (Acerodon jubatus), 

·       the Large flying fox (Pteropus vampyrus), and 

·       Island flying fox (Pteropus hypomelanus). 

Meanwhile, the Del Carmen Mangrove Reserve in Siargao Island was tagged as Ramsar Site no. 2553. Its mangrove cover spans 4,871 hectares, comprising more than half of the Island’s total mangrove forest. 

Eight (8%) percent of its flora and 20% of its fauna are endemic to the Philippines and the Mindanao region. These include: 

·       Philippine duck (Anas luzonica) 

·       Southern rufous hornbill (Buceros mindanensis) 

·       Mindanao hornbill (Penelopides affinis) 

·       Yellowish bulbul (Hypsipetes everetti) 

The Convention on Wetlands serves as the intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.   

This year, the 10^th Asian Wetlands Symposium was hosted by the Philippines with the theme, “Wetlands-based Solutions” organized by the Society for the Conservation of Philippine Wetlands, Ramsar Regional Center – East Asia (RRC-EA), and Ramsar Center Japan, and co-organized with the Japan Wetland Society, and Wetlands International Japan. 

The following are the ten Ramsar Sites of the Philippines: 

1.      Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary in Cebu (Ramsar Site No. 656) 

2.      Naujan Lake National Park in Oriental Mindoro (Ramsar Site No. 1008) 

3.      Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary in Agusan del Sur (Ramsar Site No. 1009) 

4.      Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park in Palawan (Ramsar Site No. 1010) 

5.      Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (Ramsar Site No. 2084) 

6.      Negros Occidental Coastal Wetlands Conservation Area in Negros Occidental  

         (Ramsar Site No. 2271) 

7. Las Pinas-Paranaque Wetland Park in Metro Manila (Ramsar Site No. 2124) 

8. Sasmuan Pampanga Coastal Wetlands in Pampanga (Ramsar Site No. 2445) 

9.  Sibugay Wetland Nature Reserve in Zamboanga Sibugay (Ramsar Site No. 2552) 

10. Del Carmen Mangrove Reserve (DCMR) in Siargao Island Protected Landscape and    Seascape (SIPLAS) (Ramsar Site no. 2553).